Policies

Use of electroimmobilisation on animals

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 11/12/2025 Purpose To provide guidance to veterinarians and other users on the use of electroimmobilisation on animals in Australia. To advocate for […]

Exotic pet and wildlife trade

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 10/07/2025 Purpose This document is intended to raise awareness of biodiversity, biosecurity and welfare risks associated with the legal and illegal trade […]

Forced Swim Test and Forced Smoke Inhalation Experiments

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 10/07/2025 Purpose To advocate for cessation of forced swim tests and nose-only forced smoke inhalation experiments, and for a phase-out of whole […]

Post-racing transition and retraining: Ensuring effective aftercare for retired horses

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 10/07/2025 Background This policy aims to provide guidance for the transition of horses from racing to optimise both the horse’s welfare and […]

Medication of dogs and cats for air transport

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 10/07/2025 Purpose To assist veterinary practitioners to address requests from clients for sedation of pets prior to travel.   Policy  Veterinary guidance […]

Farming of native fauna

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 21/01/2025 Purpose To provide a basis for AVA advocacy on issues related to commercial farming of native fauna. Policy As Australian native […]

Sustainability: implications for animal production, companion animals and veterinary practice

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 21/01/2025 Purpose To inform about key concepts and current concerns regarding ecosystem sustainability; to highlight those aspects of most relevance to the […]

Infection prevention and control in veterinary workplaces

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 21/01/2025 Purpose To inform members of the veterinary profession about the key principles of infection prevention and control in veterinary workplaces, and […]

The veterinarian’s role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community companion animal health and management programs

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 21/01/2025 Purpose This policy aims to provide guidance for veterinarians providing veterinary services and/or assisting with the management of dogs and cats […]

The role of veterinarians in emergency animal management

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 11/12/2024 Policy Suitably experienced veterinarians must be engaged by governments and relevant agencies in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness, response […]